Strain-resisting mechanism.



G. H. FORSYTH, A. G. DAVIDSON & F. S. GALLAGHER. STRAIN BESISTINGMECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED DEO.12, 1906. 1,065,676. Patented June 24,1913.

` MJ 2' 17 J3 12 21 14/ 77w19 1 ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE H. FORSYTH AND ARTHUR C. DAVIDSON, OF CHICAGQILLINOIS, AND FRED-BRICK S. GALLAGHER, OF COLLINWOOD, OHIO, ASSIGNORS TO FORSY'IH BROTHERSCOMPANY, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS. y

STRAIN-RESISTING MECHANISM.

and useful Improvement-sin Strain-Resisting Mechanisms, of which thefollowing is.

a specification. t

' This invention relates to strain-resisting `devices for railway-cars'and other uses, and v has for its principalobject to provide an improvedmechanism for .absorbing bufiing and other strains and cushioning thecars and other devices against violent and 1njurious' shocks. I

More specifically, the invention aims to yproduce a bufli'ng devicewherein a gradu' ated resistance is effected."

- Another' object of the invention is to prolluce a device of thecharactesA named in whichtheextent of compression that can be impartedto the lstrain-resisting spring .or springsislimited,thuspreventinginjury to said' spring orsprings from going solid orbecoming set.

l Still another object of the'invention is to provide a simplified'andimproved housing or support for the element of the bufting mechanismcapable of incorporation in the platform casting` thus reducing thespace usually required for' theseparts at the end of the car.

Other minor objects and advantages of the invention Awill be apparentfrom the following description, taken in, connection 40 with theaccompanying drawings which 'illustrate av preferred embodiment of theinvention, and in whicli,'-

Figure 1 is a plan View of the lmechanism as applied to the platformcasting of arail? way car; Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section,substantially on the median line of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectionthrough. the platform casting on the offset line 3-3 of Fig. 1, viewedin the direction of the arrows the springs being omitted; Fig. 4 is adetail plan view of the central buffer stem and its cooperatingfollower, illustrating as a modification an adjusting device that may heemployed; and Fig. 5 is a perspective Specification of Letters Patent.

ratenteaaune 24, 1913.

Application filed December 12, 1906. Serial No. 347,496.

view of the inner or rear follower of the buffing mechanism. Referringto the drawings, 10 (Fig. 2) may designatethe forward end portion of.one of Athe usual center sills of the underf frame of a railivav car,and 11 `designates 60 as an entirety a skeleton platform castingprojecting in advance of said center sills.

. lnasmuch as this platform casting has been specially designed by' usfor the housing and support of themain elements-0f 'the 65 bulingmechanism properand in part constitutes the subject-matter ofourpresentir'ivention,A we have shown and will describe the same somewhatI indetail.` This housing comprises essentially'a central or inter-me- 70diate portion of generally box-like form, the inner or rear part -ofwhich, ldesignated by 12,- is solid except for lthe provision-of a pair'of parallel bores 13 .which -may be round or `of other. shape and'(Fig.' 3i) vof 75 sufficient length.- and diameter' to lit and I' housethe major portionyof theitwo main buHing. springs 14, While the outer orlfor- -ward' portion (Figz 3) "contain's a rectangular chamberl open atthe top and 8 0 provided With aLremovablecap or dover 17 held inposition bythe bolts 1 7..Inthe.

chamber 16 are housedY a pair .of front and\ rear' follower plates orblocks 18'- and 19, re-

' spectively, the former of which has a convex 85 'rear face and thelatter a concave frontwface, as shown in Fig. 1. Between the Aopposedconvex and concave faces ofthe-se followers is interposed a series offlatelastiemetal plates, designated by 20. l/Vithin the main l buflingsprings lltvve also preferably employ a pair of smaller auxiliarysprings 21, which latter are slightly shorter thanl the main springs 14,so as Yto be called intoA ac tion later during the bufling thrust.'either side of the intermedia-te box-like portion of the casting andconnected thereto by horizontal webs 22 (Figs. l and 3) are a' pair ofskeletonhousings 23 desi ned to accommodate 'the side stems of thebuffer-100 plate, and comprise essentially parallel longitudinal ribs 24preferably of the full depth or/thi'ckness'of the platform casting,r andtransverse ribs 25 and 26, both of which are apertured for the passageof the sideV stems, the' front transverse ribs 25 constituting theportions of the front transverse Wall of the casting. Beyond and outsideof the (Fig. 2) of said casting.

ing shank 32- of the coupler 33; but this latter feature may be omittedWhere other means for supporting the coupler shank or drawbar areprovided; and is not essential to our invention.

34 designates the movable buffer-plate, the same being supported on theforwardly projecting ends of the side stems 35 that are pivoted thereto.These side stems extend through registering apertures in the bufferblock30, sill 2S, and transverse ribs 25 and Q6, being supported and guidedtherein, and within the housings 23 have' reduced portions surrounded bysprings 36. These springs bear at one end against shoulders 3T on theside stems and at their other ends against the rear transverse ribs 26.The rear ends of said side stems extend somewhat beyond the ribs 2G andare encircled by springs 38 confined between the ribs 26 and nuts 39 onthe ends of the stems. Springs 3S are preferably somewhat stronger thansprings tiggandtheir purpose is to allow such an angular swing of thebuffer-plate 34 as shall enable the two cooperating buferplates onadjacent cars of a train to remain in Contact throughout while the trainis passing over a curve. 40 designates the cent-ral butter stem, -whichis somewhat heavier than .the side stems and is supported and guided inapertures formed through the stationary buffer block 30, sill 28, andfront wall of the platform casting, 'the inner end of said stem enteringa recess 41 in the outer or front face of the forward follower 18. Theouter end of said stem 40 normally contacts with the inner side' of themovable buffer-plate 34 or a. striking-plate 34 thereon, as hereinafterdescribed.

1t will`be observed by reference to Fig. 2 that the springs 14, aslikewise their contained springs 21, project sonic distance forwardly ofthe forward end of the.' rear por-,

tion 12 of the central housing. so that in the normal condition of theparts there is a space provided between the forward face of the. rearhousing portion 12 and the rear side of the rear follower lil for theinward travel of the latter under bullngr'traius. which space less thanthe distance between the forward face of the stationary buffer-block 30at its central point, and the inner side of the movableA buffer-plate3l. From this it will be seen that when the movable buffer-plate isthrust inwardly, the rear follower 19 will move inwardly, cou.- pressingfirst the springs 14, subsequently compressing and meeting the added resistance of the inner springsY 21 until the follower' strikes theforward face ot' the rear housing portion 12, after which the elasticand frietional resistance of the stronger plate springs '20 will becalled into marin-al acti-ou to dampen the recoil and withstand thefurther inward thrust of the initier-plate. By means of the nuts on theinner ends of the side-stems-not only can the springs 3G be tensioned asdesired, but the distance of the movable butler-plate 34 fromthefstationary bulfer-bloek 30 can be nicely adjusted according to theextent of inward movement permitted by the yielding of the elasticresistance elements. 'lo provide adjustment arising from possiblevariations in the parts, as well as to act as wear strips, one or morestrips 42 (Fig. 4) may be interposed between the bottom of the recess 41of 'the front follower and the adjacent end of the central stem 40.Bythis device wear on the inner' end of the stein 40 and the consequentshortening of the extent of yielding movement of the resistance elementscan be compensated for. 7e also prefer to employ between the outer endof the central stem 40and'the inner face of the movable bufferplate 34a. striking-plate 34a that is preferably secured tosaid buffer-plate andhas a convexed inner face, as shown,v adapted to coperate with theconcaved outer end of the stem. To provide clearance for said strikingplate, the adjacent face of the stationary buffer-block 30 may besuitably rccessed or mortised, as shown at 30 in `Fig. 2.

lVhen the parts are assembled, the butterplate 34 or the striking-plate34a preferably normally bears under pressure against the forward end ofthecentral buffer stem 40-7 whichI prevents objectionable striking ofsaid parts together under butling thrusts. To effect this relation ofthe parts, the butlerplate may be drawn inwardly against the end of thecentral butter stem'40 by simply tightening up the nuts 89, if desired;or, the desired. adjustment may be effected by inserting or withdrawingone or more of the strips 42. The several buil'er stems are all looselyfitted in their bearings with suiiicient. clearance to permit a limiteddegree of angular' movement of the butler-plate so as to preserveContact between two adjacent butlenplates in passing over curves.

ln order to afford as large an extent of contacting surface as possible.to the forward end of the spring,housingx 1;). and the rear face of therear follower 1t).v we prefer` ably eut away the cover 1T as shown atand provide on the upper edge of t-he follower 19 a projection 192Lsubstantially coextensive laterally with and movable through the cut.out portion of the cover. A similar depending projection 19" (Fig. 2) isalso preferably emp'loyed on said follower for the saine purpose. saidprojection lying between the ledges 15a (Fig. S5) on which the ends ofthe followers and plate-springs Q0 rest.

`Vhile we havel shown and described the housing of the resistanceelements as elnbodied in and cast integral with the plat-- form casting.yet. so far as the novel features of said housing are concerned it isapparent that it need not necessarily form a part of the platformcasting. The operA ation of the mechanism has to a considerable extentbeen already set forth in the description of the mechanism itself. butmay be brieflyv reviewed as follows. linder an inward thrust upon themovable buffer-plate 1li tla` springs 36 surrounding the side stemsoffer a limited degree of elastic resistance to the end portions of thebuffer-plate, but thc main resistance is afforded by the twin coilsprings 14V, the followers 18 and 19 and plate-springs 20. As soon astheY rear face of the follower 19 contacts the projecting ends of theinner auxiliary springs 21, the resistance of these latter is also addedto the ii'icreasing resistance of the springs 14.. and both sets ofsprings cooperate in opposing the inward travel of the follower 1f)until the latter contacts the forward face of the rear housingr portion12. This occurs before either set of springs is exhausted or goes solid,and consequently prevents'the injurious results that fiow from thesetting of said springs. Further inward movementof the butler-plate isthen resisted by the elasticity and friction of the group ofplatesprings 20 which unitedly offer a much greater spring resistancethan do the coil springs, but .which are capable of bending or bowingslightly between the opposed convex and concave faces of the followers18 and 19. so that the final portion of the inward movement of thebuffer-plate is opposed by the combined resistance of the springs 1l. Q1and 20, and at the point of farthest inward movement permitted by thespring resistance elements. the movable buffer-plate fl is brought intesubstantial contact with the stationary buffer-block 30. Uponthe releaseof the butling strain, the several springs of course re-act to throw thebuffer-plate t forwardly and maintain the same in contact with thebuffer-plate on the next adjacent car. The relation of the buffer-plate341 to the coupler i?, is preferably such that when adjacent couplersare engaged. the superposed adjacent buffer-plates engage each otherunder some pressure which prevents their separation and maintains asubstantially continuous surface between adjacent platforms. It wille-beapparent from this description that the heavier shock-absorbing orresistance parts do not become substantially operative until thecoupling is effected and the buffers reach a position at or back of thecoupling line.

While we have shown but a single group o-f .plate-springs betweenandcooperating with a pair of followers, it is evident that the principlemight be extended to yinclude a plurality of such groups with interposedfollowers, the plate-springs being of the same or of varying number andcapacity. It will also be apparent that, as regards the coil springs 14and 21. either set may be made the longer or the stronger, according toindividual preference or special conditions.

lt will be observed that thc side walls of the central housing extendfrom end to end of the skeleton platform casting and thereby constitutein etfect reinforcing ribs for said platform casting and for the end ofthe car.

lt will be evident to those skilled in the art that the specific,details of the structure shown and described mightl be considerablyvaried within the principle of the invention and without sarritieing thebenefits and ad vantages lseemed thereby. and hence we do not limittheinvcntion to the specific structure shown, except to the extentclearly indicated in specific claims.

le claim:

1. In a buffer for railway cars, a skeleton platform embodying as anintegral portion thereof, a housing for the resistance elements, theforward portion whereof is of box-like form and the rear portion whereofhas a plurality of longitudinal cores, in combination with a pluralityof coiled resistance springs in said cores and projecting forwardlythereof, and a pair of transverse followers and interposed platespringsin said forward portion, a buffer-plate, and a thrust member between thelatter and the forward one of said followers, substantially asdescribed.

2. In a buffer for railway ears, a skeleton platform embodyingas anintegral portion thereof a housing for the resistance elements, theforward portion whereof is of boxlike form and the rear portion whereofis longitudinally cored, in combination with a resistance member in saidcored rear portion projecting forwardly thereof, and a pair oftransverse followers and interposed plate springs in said forwardportion, a buffer-plate, and a thrust 'member between the latter and theforward one of said followers, substantially :is described.

3. In a bu tfer mechanism for railway ca rs, a skeleton platformembodying as an integral portion thereof a housing for the re- 'thrusttransmitting sistanee elements, the front portion o. said l housingbeing of box-like form and the rear portion thereof beingl lon`itudinally cored, :i resistente member in said cored portion andprojectingr forwardly thereof, a pair of transverse follmvers in saidfront portion, a spring between said followers, :1. butler plate, and athrust member between said l butler plate'and the front follower,substantially as described.

In a. buling" device. the combination of a buffer, a.. housing, two setsof buffer springs within said housing, the front set l comprisingtransversel-v-disposed bodily-I' movable spring plates ot' greaterstiffness] than the springs of the rear set, a transverse t followerbetween said front and rear sets of springs, a fixed stop to limit therear- Il ward movement of said follower, and a] means between the bufferand the frontset of springs, Where'- by during bufing action the frontset of springs moves bodily until the follower engages the stop, therebycompressing the rear set of springs Without substantial tlexng of theplate springs and upon further pressure the plate springs may besubstantially j flexed, substantially as described. J

:5. In a nailing mechanism for railway ears, the Combination of a butlerhaving a butler-sten@ a, housing, a pair of transverse followers withinsaid housing, a rear spring member engaging the rear follower,bodilyniovable transverse spring plates between said followers, a stopfor .limitingr the reen ward travel of the rear follower and soringplates, the butler stem engaging the front follower, whereby during theinitial buffing action said spring plates are bodily moved toward saidrear spring' member and the latter is compressed, until said rearfollower engages said stop, and during the ultimate buing action saidspring plates :1re flexed `in the line of thrust, snbstantially as described;

GEORGE H. FORSYTH. ARTHUR C. DAVIDSON. ,f FREDERICK S. GALLAGHER.lVitnesses to the signatures el. George H Forsyth and Arthur C.Davidson:

SAMUEL N. POND, 1 l `nrnemo1i C. GOODWIN. Witnesses to tbe signature ofFrederick Gallagher:

F. Il. lflonon'rtm', C. A. BURnoUens.

